sábado, 1 de junho de 2013

Transport in Europe - France and Spain

If you want to make a trip that has several different places on the itinerary, transport for these places must be well planned.

In my case, my plans have required many different means of transport. Here's how I resolved the issue

Madrid to Paris:
- Flying low cost: it is much cheaper and faster than train. The only thing is that you can´t go with more than you hand bag (unless you want to pay a lot of money for it), and your hand baggage can only have 10 kilos. In my case, it will not matter.

- The best company I found was Ryanair - http://www.ryanair.com/
- 100 dollars!

From Paris to St. Malo (near Mont Saint Michel)
- Up to Rennes, I discovered a site that is really cool rides - http://www.covoiturage.fr/
- 20 Euros to go from Paris to Rennes
- 10 Euros train from Rennes to St. Malo

Normandy (St. Malo, St. Michel, Caen, Honfleur, Etretat and Rouen)
- Rent a car. Easier, convenient, tasty, and in some places, the only transport (Etretat, for example).
-The best and cheapest car rental site that I found was the http://www.hertz.com/ - as one of the most well known, it is safer.
- I rented the car more affordable, 51 euros for 2 days

From Paris to Marseille
- Flying low cost airlines (Ryanair) - R$ 70

South of France
- Rent a car (Hertz)
- 184 euros for 7 days

Narbonne to Barcelona
- Ride (http://www.covoiturage.fr/)
- R$ 20 (average)

Barcelona to Madrid
- High Speed ​​Train (AVE)
- http://www.renfe.com/
- 32 euros

Regarding cars, can you pick in a place and return in another without paying more! In my case, I researched two paths relative to Normandy: one going Rouens and going to St. Malo (near Mont Saint Michel) and path otherwise. I saw that if you took the opposite path would pay half the price, and it came to define my script there. Even return it because the car in Beauvais where catch the flight to Marseille. It's faster to go to the airport Rouens than Paris go. And do not get dependent on those buses Paris-Beauvais.

France, Paris and Barcelone - interesting sites - Itinerary

Planning the trip is not that easy, but is fun!

I knew I wanted to go to France, spending a good time in Paris. But knowing what to do in France, what were the best things to see... I had no idea!

A website that helped me a lot was  http://blog-pt.hostelbookers.com/cidades-em-destaque/paris/ferias-na-franca-15-maravilhas-da-franca-para-ver/. He gives a good idea of some of the many cool things there are to see in this country. Served as a guide for me to start planning my trip. I was willing to go to all the places mentioned, but I had to cut some (for geographical reasons only). That broke me heart, but gave me a good excuse to come back later.

I decided I would split my staying in France in three: Paris, Normandy and Southern France. The Normandy would be my shorter stay, since I only want to see some specific things  (Mont Saint Michel, Honfleur and Etretat). The South of France, ended up being the longest period of time.

A website that helped me a lot to set the script Paris was http://www.pariscitywalks.com/itineraries/5-days-of-paris-top-attractions--versailles-day-1

For Barcelona, did not put much effort into planning when pus in France. The reason is simple: I want to enjoy and rest, and not necessarily see things, but pinch, walk, experience. Even so, I traced a route to pass in some places that are almost mandatory. For this, I used the site http://promptguides.com/barcelona/guides/three_day_guide.htm

Five days in Paris - Itinerary - Trip Plan

To plan my itinerary to Paris, I used the http://www.pariscitywalks.com/itineraries/5-days-of-paris-top-attractions--versailles-day-1, really good site, and just changed here and there. Having their plans as base of my trip, I could move to the second stage, which was: what to do at night.

PS. Bought PARIS PASS, for four days. Very worthwhile. For 150 euros, you guarantees entry to ALL the major things in Paris, and no queue. You can enter the Louvre, climb the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and a billion other things. Also, I have reserved a wine tasting (which even in the script) and a boat trip on the Seine (which made ​​my Parisian friend be jealous!). The site is http://www.parispass.com/. If you make the calculations, of what you will pay to get in each location, and the convenience of not picking up the queue, the economy is grotesque.

Paris, city of many titles (such as the City of Light, City of American writers, the city of love), is one of the most important cities of the world jazz scene as well. More than just jazz, I love the atmosphere of a good jazz bar. So, I researched the list of some good bars, and the ones that most caught my attention were the Sunset Sunside and Duc des Lombards. I saw te schedules, heard the artist on YouTube and decided to buy tickets to the shows Omer Avital (great bassist) and the trio BEX / FERRIS / Goubert "BFG". The price is around 20 Euros. Really cheap!

I also discovered that Claude Bolling, fantastic pianist who composed masterpieces like Bolling Sweet for Flute, plays every last Tuesday of the month at Le Petit Journal St. Michel. Will also be in my schedule!

Something that could not be left out: attend the Four Seasons by Vivaldi, the Sainte Chapelle, one of the most beautiful churches in Paris. Fantastic!!

25/06 - TUESDAY

- ARRIVE IN PARIS BEAUVAIS – 17h00
- JAZZ CONCERT - CLAUDE BOLLING TRIO - Le Petit Journal St. Michel


26/06 – WEDNESDAY
09:00 Torre Eiffel 
Visit Time: 150 minutes
 
11:35 Boat in the Seine
Getting here: 0.3 mi ,6 min by walking
Visit Time: 60 minutes

12:45 Champ de Mars
Getting here: 0.6 mi ,11 min by walking
Visit Time: 45 minutes
 
13:55 Rodin Museum
Getting here: 1.3 mi ,25 min by walking
Visit Time: 60 minutes
 
15:10 Hotel des Invalides
Getting here: 0.9 mi ,17 min by walking
Visit Time: 60 minutes

16:15 Alexander Bridge
Getting here: 0.3 mi ,7 min by walking
Visit Time: 15 minutes
 
16:40 Place de la Concorde
Getting here: 0.5 mi ,10 min by walking
Visit Time: 30 minutes
 
17:40 Arc de Triomphe
Getting here: 1.5 mi ,29 min by walking
Visit Time: 30 minutes

 JAZZ CONCERT - OMER AVITAL - Duc Des Lombard - 20h00


27/06 - THURSDAY
09:00 Saint Sulpice
Visit Time: 60 minutes
 
10:20 Louvre Museum
Getting here: 0.9 mi ,19 min by walking
Visit Time: 150 minutes

13:05 Tuileries Gardens
Getting here: 0.6 mi ,13 min by walking
Visit Time: 30 minutes

13:45 National Opera
Getting here: 0.6 mi ,12 min by walking
Visit Time: 60 minutes
 
15:00 Wine Tasting at O Chateau
Getting here: 0.8 mi ,17 min by walking
Visit Time: 60 minutes
 
Royal Palace
Getting here: 11.9 mi ,41 min by transit
Visit Time: 90 minutes
 
Orangerie Museum
Getting here: 0.9 mi ,19 min by walking
Visit Time: 150 minutes
 
CONCERT - SAINTE CHAPELLE
FROM 19:00 pm


28/06 - FRIDAY
09:00 Montparnasse Tower
Visit Time: 60 minutes
 
10:20 Luxembourg Gardens
Getting here: 1 mi ,21 min by walking
Visit Time: 90 minutes

12:00 Pantheon
Getting here: 0.5 mi ,12 min by walking
Visit Time: 45 minutes
 
12:55 Cluny Museum
Getting here: 0.4 mi ,8 min by walking
Visit Time: 60 minutes
 
14:15 Sainte Chapele
Getting here: 1 mi ,22 min by walking
Visit Time: 90 minutes
 
16:05 Orsay Museum
Getting here: 1 mi ,21 min by walking
Visit Time: 120 minutes
 
 JAZZ CONCERT - Sunset Sunside Jazz Club
BEX / FERRIS / GOUBERT “BFG” = 25,00€, 28/06/2013 à 21:30
60, rue des Lombards - 75001 Paris


29/06 - SATURDAY
09:00 Dali Museum
Visit Time: 90 minutes

10:30 Place du Tertre
Getting here: 0.1 mi ,1 min by walking
Visit Time: 90 minutes

12:05 Sacre Coeur Basilica
Getting here: 0.1 mi ,3 min by walking
Visit Time: 60 minutes
 
13:25 Pompidou Center
Getting here: 2.2 mi ,21 min by transit
Visit Time: 120 minutes

15:35 Notre Dame
Getting here: 0.6 mi ,12 min by walking
Visit Time: 120 minutes
 
17:00 Shakespeare and Co.
 
 JAZZ CONCERT - Caveau de la Huchette http://www.caveaudelahuchette.fr/


30/06 – SUNDAY
09:00 Palace of Versailles
Visit Time: 240 minutes

Ir para Rennes

What to do in the South of France - Itinerary

Basic planning to French Riviera (Côte D´azur) and Provence:

02/07 - Tuesday - arrive


03/07 - Wednesday – BOAT IN HEAVEN 
-Morning in Marseille – walk around the port and the street markets. Buy food.
-Take the car (12h)
-Go to Cassis (Calanque) – Boat trip (elected by NY Times as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world)
-Afternoon in the beach
-Go to Nice – Sleep there

04/07 - Thursday – RELAX IN THE BEACH
-Morning in Nice - street markets, walk around the city
-Afternoon in em Cannes
-Antibes
-Go back to Nice




05/07 - Friday –THE JET-SET
-Morning in St. Tropez
-Go to Aix-En-Provence
-Walk around the city

06/07 – Saturday  – VIDINHA PROVENÇAL
-Breakfast in Aix-En-Provence street market
-To walk and enjoy the city - to drink a lot of champagnes and coffees
- Sleep in Aix-En-Provence

07/07 – Sunday – LAVANDE ROUTE AND FESTIVAL 
-Lavande Route: Gordes - Abbaye de Sénanque – Sault (in the morning)
-Sunday Flee Market - Carpentras
-Street Market of Avignon (everyday, but monday)
-See some plays in the Festival D´Avignon (Biggest Theater festival in the world) - bought tickets to see the play Pas le village in the Palais de Papes 
-Sleep in Avignon

08/07 – Monday – THE POPE IS POP
-Avignon: walk around the city, giving a special look to the Avignon Bridge
-L´isle sur la Sorgue and Les Baux-de-Provence
-Beer on the Café de La Nuit, in Arles (coffee house that inspired Van Gogh to pain his most beutiful painting)
-Sleep in Arles

09/07 Tuesday – VAN GOGH DAY
-Breakfast in Arles
-Walk around the city
-Saint-Rémy-de-Provence – city that most inpired Van Gogh
-Walk around the city
-Beer in the Cafe de la Nuit
-Sleep in Arles
 
10/07 - Wednesday – CASTELS AND ARENAS
-Nimes coliseum
-Go to Narbonne
-Carcassonne Castel
-Go to Barcelona

The world is mine!

I am planning a backpacking to Europe. The "Put the world and my dreams in the bag and start walking" kind of trip!

I know that the best things in life you just can´t buy. The best things in life are the memories and the stories we build along our way through life, the roads we walk, people we meet. Thinking about it, I thought about a trip that could be etched in my memory and in my heart forever. To live and experience that kind of stories that we will never get tired. The type of histories that my grandchildren will sit around and ask me to tell again.

I want a trip where I can plan what I wanted, to go where I want, to stay and do as you wish.

The first step was: where? Paris was the answer that came to me as fast as the question. Researched the tickets and saw that a flight straight to Paris would be too expensive. The passage that I saw that was best was to Madrid, with a stop in Buenos Aires. I am one of those that believes that everything can be transformed, improved. Since we will make a flight to Madrid, with a day layover in Buenos Aires in coming and another in back, why not take Argentina and Spain as well? Not bad, huh? I got a flight for 2500 reais, which, with only two months to go, it does not seem bad.

So, let´s star to plan!

Where to stay in Europe - Spain and France

My choices for accommodation (Hostel - Hostels) were based on the following criteria: price, location, cleanliness, reviews on the internet from people who have stayed in place.

Remembering that I'll be in very high season, which makes the prices rise too.

Here's my selections:

Spain
Madridfollowing my sister advises, I´m staying at the Posada de Huertas (http://www.posadadehuertas.com/en/). As my trip will begin and end in Madrid, I made two reservations. It costs only 17 euros per day, was very well recommended, and everything is right in the middle of the night life of Madrid! According to my sister, the bars near the hostel are very well attended and trendy. Has breakfast.


Barcelona: I booked for Gracia Hostel City Hostel (http://www.graciacityhostel.com/), and will be a shot in the dark. Only hostel that don´t have the option of paying the reservation by card, which gave me headaches. Still, it was the cheapest: 15 euros per night. Critics in the internet are mostly positive, highlighting the great location (the neighborhood of Gracia itself is wolderful) and good service. Do not have breakfast.


França


Paris: the best known and cheapest Hostel Paris was my choice: Auberge Internationale des Jeunes (http://www.aijparis.com/framea.htm). I paid 25 euros per night. It is close to metro, easy access to major tourist spots! The detail is that is close to the Bastille, which to me, a History teacher, is amazing. The critics divide between those who believe horrible (many) and those who liked. My main decision in choosing Hostel in Paris was staying in a crowded place, so I can meet, chat, exchange experiences and drinking together, so I think it will be good. Has breakfast (but it seems that it is very simple).



Saint Malo, Caen e Aix-En-Provence: in those three cities, my main goal will be to know the details of the daily life. I want to see how people live, talk and share experiences. So, I arranged in CouchSurfing (https://www.couchsurfing.org/) to stay in the house of lovely people. For free. It works like this: you register, fill in your profile (the most complete profile you can make), put your itinerary and see the list of people who are willing to host someone in that region. Than, you choose someone (this person got to have some things in common with you), then you submit your request. If the person is available, not traveling or etc., will accept you. I already sent out the invitations and was accepted by these good-hearted souls!


Marseille: In Marseille, I'll stay just a few hours. I´ll get there from the airport around midnight, sleep, and get out early. It will be a shame, because the Hostel I'm staying looks pretty cool: Vertigo Hostel (http://www.hotelvertigo.fr/). I will pay 24.30 euros for one night. I was so tired by the time I made my reservation that I ended up reserving to the wrong day. I sent an e-mail and quickly they changed the day (and no troubles, as in some establishments). The location is very good, and the photos show a very beautiful place. Breakfast is paid (5 euros - all you can eat).


Nice: I will probably be the best Hostel of my trip: Hostel Villa Saint Exupéry Gardens (http://www.villahostels.com/gallery-1-en). It has free parking, the place is beautiful, the breakfast looks sensational and criticis only tells good things about it. The price is very good to: 29 euros. Has breakfast.



Avignon: I´ll be there during the Festival D´Avignon, the biggest Theater festival in the world. Because of that, finding a place was very hard. I´ll stay in the YMCA Avignon (http://www.ymca-avignon.com/), paying 29 euros per night. The place is well located for those with car (close, but not in the middle of the craziness of the festival) and have a amazing view of the city Charges for the towels. Breakfast is 5 euros.

I
Arles: there, I´ll stay in on of the HI Hostels (http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-Arles-020034.en.htm). I stayed sometimes before in Hostels of this franchising. Is like that: doesn´t matter where you are, your breakfast will have eggs and bacon! Is padronized, but always a good breakfast (if you skip the eggs and bacon). You will feel in the US no matter where. I always had good experiences with them, so I guess that this will not be a problem. In Arles, I payed 19 euros per night. Has breakfast.

sexta-feira, 31 de maio de 2013

Onde ficar na Europa

Minhas escolhas para hospedagem (Hostel - Albergues) foram baseadas nos seguintes critérios: preço, localização, limpeza, comentários na internet de pessoas que já se hospedaram no lugar.

Lembrando que ficarei na altíssima temporada, o que faz os preços subirem muito.

Eis minhas seleções:

Espanha


Madrid: seguindo os conselhos da minha irmã, me hospedarei no Posada de Huertas (http://www.posadadehuertas.com/en/). Como minha viagem começará e terminará em Madrid, fiz duas reservas. Custa só 17 euros por dia, foi muito bem recomendado e, além de tudo, fica bem no meio do vuco-vuco noturno de Madrid! Segundo minha irmã, o bar do próprio Hostel é muito bem frequentado e badalado. Tem café da manhã.


Barcelona: Reservei para o Hostel Gracia City Hostel (http://www.graciacityhostel.com/), e será um tiro no escuro. Único hostel que não tem a opção de pagar a reserva pelo cartão, o que me deu dores de cabeça (queriam que eu fizesse um depósito em dinheiro daqui do Brasil, o que sairia um absurdo só de impostos. Tive de passar meu cartão de crédito para que eles debitassem lá, e demoraram uma semana pra isso). Mesmo assim, foi o mais barato: 15 euros por noite. As críticas da internet são, na maioria, positivas, destacando a ótima localização (o bairro de Gracia, em si, é um show a parte) e o bom atendimento. Não tem café da manhã.


França


Paris: o mais conhecido e mais barato Hostel de Paris foi a minha escolha:  Auberge Internationale des Jeunes (http://www.aijparis.com/framea.htm). Paguei 25 euros por noite. É perto de metrô, de fácil acesso aos principais pontos turísticos! O detalhe é que fica perto da Bastilha, o que pra mim, historiador, é uma felicidade à parte. As críticas se dividem entre os que acham horrível (muitos) e os que gostaram. A minha decisão principal na escolha de Hostel em Paris foi ficar num lugar com bastante gente, pra poder conhecer, conversar, trocar experiências e beber junto, então acho que vai ser uma boa. Tem café da manhã (mas parece que é bem simples).




Saint Malo, Caen e Aix-En-Provence: são três cidades cujo objetivo principal não vai ser conhecer o vuco-vuco, mas sim os detalhes de vida cotidiana. Quero ver como vivem as pessoas, conversar quem partilha o dia-a-dia da região. Por isso combinei pelo CouchSurfing (https://www.couchsurfing.org/) de ficar na casa de adoráveis pessoas. De grátis. Funciona assim: você se cadastra, preenche seu perfil (quanto mais completo, melhor), coloca seu itinerário e vê a lista das pessoas que estão dispostas a hospedar alguém em seu sofá naquela região. Escolhida a pessoa (tem que ter a ver com você de alguma forma), você manda um pedido de hospedagem. Se a pessoa estiver afim, não for viajar e etc., ela aceita você. Já enviei os convites e fui aceito por estas almas de bom coração!



Marseille (Marselha): Em Marseille vou dar uma de cachorro magro. Chego do aeroporto lá pra meia noite, durmo, e saio cedinho. O que é uma pena, porque o Hostel que eu vou ficar parece bem legal: Vertigo Hostel (http://www.hotelvertigo.fr/). Pagarei 24,30 euros por uma noite. Eu tava tão cansado na hora que acabei reservando pro dia errado. Mandei um e-mail e, rapidinho, eles alteraram o dia (e sem grilos, como em alguns estabelecimentos). A localização é muito boa, e as fotos mostram um lugar bem bonito. Café da manhã é pago (5 euros - tudo que puder comer).


Nice: Pelas informações que tenho aqui, será o melhor Hostel de minha viagem: Villa Saint Exupéry Gardens (http://www.villahostels.com/gallery-1-en). Tem estacionamento grátis, o lugar é lindo, o café da manhã parece ser sensacional e as críticas só falam bem. O preço é muito bom também, pro lugar: 29 euros. Tem café da manhã.



Avignon: ficarei lá durante o Festival D´Avignon, o maior festival de teatro do mundo. Por isso, achar um lugar foi bem difícil. Ficarei no YMCA Avignon (http://www.ymca-avignon.com/), e vou pagar 29 euros por noite. O lugar é bem localizado pra quem está de carro (perto, mas não no meio do vuco-vuco, que, nestes dias, será infernal) e tem uma vista animal da cidade. Cobra pelas toalhas. Café da manhã custa 5 euros.


Arles: lá ficarei na rede HI Hostels (http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-Arles-020034.en.htm). Já fiquei em Hostels desta rede antes. É assim: não importa em que lugar do mundo você está, o café da manhã terá ovos com bacon! É padronizado, mas sempre fartíssimo e bonito. Você se sentirá nos EUA, não importa onde estive (lembro de estar em Florença, comendo os famosos ovos com bacon e cha-fé de café da manhã). Sempre tive boas experiências com eles, então não será problema. Para Arles, paguei 19 euros por noite. Café da manhã incluso.